Ruth Pavlovec

Ruth E. Pavlovec age 94 of Lawler, Iowa, died Monday, November 10, 2014, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Ruth's children. Bob Huinker will accompany the congregation as organist and vocalist. Lector will be Maxine Balk with Steve and Nancy Pitz presenting the offertory gifts. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Ruth's grandson's Patrick Balk, Kyle Balk, Brent Balk, Noah Balk, Travis Pitz, Scott Busta and Tim Njus as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family beginning at 9:00 a.m. Friday at the church. Funeral arrangements are with Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in Lawler. Ruth Elinor Pavlovec was born October 6, 1920, in Hawkeye, IA, the daughter of Guy and Nellie (Williamson) Hathaway. She attended school in Calmar and graduated from Calmar High School in 1938. Ruth was married to Clarence Bina, and to this union two children were born, Dale and Sandra. The couple later divorced. On June 14, 1952, Ruth married Leonard Frank Pavlovec. To this union four children were born, Maxine, Rex, Joan, and Nancy. The couple initially lived in New Hampton before moving to Lawler in 1954. Ruth worked at the Lawler American Legion Hall for many years, and she and Leonard did babysitting as a couple for several Lawler families. Leonard passed away on August 1, 1995. Ruth loved to cook and bake and was known for her Rye Bread, “Cheap John Chocolate Cake”, and her dill pickles. She was an active member at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, and was an American Legion Auxiliary member. Ruth became a resident at Linn Haven Rehab & Healthcare in September of 2011 where she enjoyed playing bingo and going to Mass. Ruth is survived by two sons, Dale (Flo) Bina of Wheaton, IL, Rex (Lori) Pavlovec of Waterloo, IA; four daughters, Sandra (LeRoy) Sabelka of Decorah, IA, Maxine (David) Balk of Waucoma, IA, Joan (Dan) Lentz of Protivin, IA, Nancy (Steve) Pitz of Cedar Falls, IA; seventeen grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; three sister-in-laws, Lou Pavlovec of Fort Atkinson, IA, Nellie Pavlovec of Calmar, IA, and Phyllis Pavlovec – Fosaaen of West Union, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leonard; brother, Dale Hathaway; two great-grandchildren, and a son-in-law.